Evidence of meeting #52 for Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics in the 39th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was appear.
A recording is available from Parliament.
10:40 a.m.
Liberal
10:40 a.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Tom Wappel
Twenty-one days from the return--is everybody happy with that?
Then we have a motion. It is moved by Mr. Stanton to amend the fifth report to read: That the minister appear before the committee within 21 calendar days of the resumption of the sittings of the House of Commons, failing which, that the most senior officials from the Department of Justice be invited to appear before the committee with respect to the Access to Information Act and related matters.
That's the amendment.
Monsieur Vincent.
10:40 a.m.
Bloc
Robert Vincent Bloc Shefford, QC
Are we sending the letter right away? If we send the letter next week or these days, the minister will understand that, as of the date on which the House of Commons resumes sitting—regardless of the date, since we do not know it—he will have a certain number of days before appearing before the committee. He will have the whole summer to think about the matter. Is this what is underlying the amendment?
10:40 a.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Tom Wappel
What I will do is write the letter as quickly as possible, and if possible by tomorrow. I'll sign it while I still have authority as chair, not knowing when or how things are going to happen. In that letter, we will mention that at the earliest opportunity, the clerk will forward the transcript of this committee meeting, so that even if the House prorogues and this committee is defunct, the clerk will have had the authority to take the transcript and follow up on that letter so that the minister has it.
It will also be helpful, if there is a prorogation and a new committee with new members, that whatever new clerk is there bring our comments to the attention of the new committee, together with a copy of the letter.
The long answer to the short question, Monsieur Vincent, is that we'll do it as soon as possible and will try to do it no later than tomorrow, with a reference that the clerk will send a copy of the transcript—not the blues, but the actual transcript of the committee hearing—as soon as possible to the minister. Is that clear?
Mr. Dewar. Is it on the amendment?
10:45 a.m.
NDP
Paul Dewar NDP Ottawa Centre, ON
Yes. I wanted to underline the point that 21 days is the maximum time, and that at any time he's more than welcome to come to committee and that we would welcome it. It's just to make sure that the door is always open and that we would prefer to see him before that. This is just to clarify, because he said 21 days.
10:45 a.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Tom Wappel
I'll make that clear, Mr. Dewar. I'll also remind the minister that we don't even know yet when our committee is going to be meeting. The whips will change the times, so we don't even know our meeting slots, but we'll make our committee members available at a special time, if that would suit the minister. We will do everything we can to bend over backwards, but we don't want to be left longer than 21 days after the resumption of the sitting.
(Motion agreed to) [See Minutes of Proceedings]
10:45 a.m.
Liberal
10:45 a.m.
Some hon. members
Agreed.
10:45 a.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Tom Wappel
The fifth report is adopted as amended, and I will undertake to do what we just said.
Is there any other business?
10:45 a.m.
Some hon. members
No.
10:45 a.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Tom Wappel
Then we will see everybody on Tuesday, with whoever we have showing up.
Thank you.
The meeting is adjourned.
